Clare Weather - New Year's Eve, Sunday, December 31, 2023

THE FINAL day of 2023 brings with it wind and blustery showers, some of which will have hail and lightning. There will be bright spells too.

Fortunately, for revellers heading out to toast the start of a new year, these showers should clear by the time the clocks hit 12.

Temperatures are unlikely to go above eight degrees Celsius.

NATIONAL OUTLOOK

The opening hours of 2024 are likely to see some showers, bringing with them the chance of hail and thunder. Some frost or ice will form with lowest temperatures of minus one to plus-four degrees in mostly moderate, westerly winds.

Sunny spells and scattered showers at first on New Year's Day, becoming more isolated through the morning and early afternoon. Cloud will build from the southwest with rain following, extending northeastwards over Munster, south Leinster and much of Connacht by night-fall. Highest afternoon temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees in light to moderate southwesterly winds, backing southeasterly and increasing moderate to fresh with the rain.

Outbreaks of rain will spread northwards to remaining areas by early tomorrow night. A clearance will follow overnight with clearing skies and scattered showers. To counter low temperatures in the north of the country, it will be milder in the Munster province.

Current indications suggest that there will be further showers or showery outbreaks of rain come Tuesday. Overall though, there will be good dry periods in the east with some brighter spells. Highest temperatures of six to nine or 10 degrees generally. Moderate south to southwest winds will be strong in Atlantic coastal areas.

Mid-week will see some showers spreading eastwards too. It looks like turning colder later in the week and for Saturday with fewer showers and more in the way of sunny spells, Frost and icy patches are likely by night with some mist or fog patches too.